The Real Deal New York

Vornado brings in acclaimed London restaurant to former Le Cirque venue

Group behind Hutong at the Shard coming to 731 Lexington

May 16, 2018 09:00AM

Vornado Chairman Steve Roth and the former Le Cirque at 731 Lexington.

Vornado Realty Trust has inked a deal with the group behind one of London’s hottest restaurants to open a dining concept in the former Le Cirque space at 731 Lexington.

Aqua Restaurant Group, a London-based firm with 25 eateries in Hong Kong, Beijing and London will move into the 18,750-square-foot space with a pricey Chinese restaurant by the end of the year, according to the New York Post. The restaurant will be modeled after Hutong, which occupies the 33rd floor of the Shard tower in London.

The former Le Cirque, a famed celebrity hot spot, closed last year. The new restaurant will feature an entrance off the cobblestone court yard from East 58th Street, a space shared by the Bloomberg Tower, and luxury condos at One Beacon Court.

Aqua was represented by Michael Hirschfeld, Brian Hirschfeld, Paul Berkman and Davie Berke of JLL in the lease deal. Vornado’s chairman, Steve Roth is said to have been personally involved in the negotiations, according to the Post. The deal was signed discreetly last year. [NYP] — David Jeans